Metal-Doped Si Clathrate Anodes for Reduced Volume Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Si particles used as active materials in batteries experience significant volume change during charge-discharge, which is not adequately reduced by existing clathrate structures, necessitating further improvement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating metals such as Mo, Fe, Zn, Mg, Pd, Zr, Ag, Co, Cr, Nb, and V into clathrate-type Si particles, with a metal content of 0.01 to 1.60 mass %, to enhance conductivity and maintain the clathrate structure, thereby reducing volume change during lithium absorption and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If Si particles are used as active material to achieve high energy density, then battery energy density is improved, but volume change during charge-discharge increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Metal atoms are nested within the clathrate structure of Si particles, occupying interstitial sites in the crystal lattice. This nesting approach allows the metal to be incorporated without disrupting the overall clathrate framework, thereby reducing volume change while preserving the high capacity benefits of Si.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system where metal atoms are integrated into the Si clathrate structure. This composite approach combines the high energy density advantage of Si with the volume stability advantage of the metal-doped clathrate structure, achieving both improved energy density and reduced volume expansion.
2Volume of moving object
If metal is added to clathrate-type Si particles to reduce volume change, then volume stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal is incorporated into the Si clathrate structure during the synthesis process itself, rather than requiring subsequent doping or modification steps. This preliminary action simplifies manufacturing by integrating the volume-stabilizing metal incorporation into the base material production process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls the metal content within a specific range (0.01 to 1.60 mass %) to achieve volume stability without excessive complexity. By optimizing this parameter, the patent balances performance improvement with manufacturing feasibility, avoiding overly complex processes while achieving the desired volume stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modified negative electrode active material exhibits reduced volume change and improved conductivity, leading to more stable charge-discharge performance in lithium-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
the metal is interstitially doped in the clathrate-type Si particles
Implementation Method 2
heating the mixture at a heating temperature of 250 to 500° C. for a heating time of 30 to 200 hours
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides primarily a negative electrode active material with reduced volume change during charge-discharge. The negative electrode active material of the disclosure consists of clathrate-type Si particles comprising one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Mo, Fe, Zn, Mg, Pd, Zr, Ag, Co, Cr, Nb and V. A negative electrode active material layer according to the disclosure comprises the negative electrode active material of the disclosure, and a lithium-ion battery of the disclosure comprises the negative electrode active material layer of the disclosure.